Jen Asbury went 3-for-6 on the day, including her first homerun of the season, but the Eagles were unable to top Villanova in a doubleheader.

April 1, 2001

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College dropped a pair of one-run games to BIG EAST rival Villanova, 1-0 and 6-5, Sunday afternoon at Shea Field. Amid temperatures in the mid-30s and snow flurries, the Eagles mounted rallies in both games, but fell short to the Wildcats in both attempts.

In the first game, Villanova took advantage of an Eagle error for the game's lone run. In the third, Jackie Pasquerella reached on an error to open the inning and then stole second. Heather Garboden grounded out, but advanced Pasquerella to third. Sara Carlson stepped in and doubled to center field to score the runner.

In the sixth inning, BC had two runners on with two out but were unable to solve pitcher Theresa Horick for the score. In the bottom of the seventh, Lisa Fischer started a second rally with a single to left field to open the inning. Jennifer Lombardi bunted out to Hornick but moved Sara Kellner, who was running for Fischer, over to second base. But the Eagles got no closer to home as the Wildcats shut down the rally for the 1-0 win.

Freshman Tekae Malandris allowed five hits, but did not earn the run. In the complete game, she struck out three. The loss marked the sixth one-run loss - and third 1-0 loss - of the season for Malandris. The freshman has a 1.53 ERA and has only allowed 17 earned runs in 15 appearances this season.

In the nightcap, the Eagles went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first as Jacqui Goodchild took first after being hit by a pitch. Consecutive wild pitches moved her to third and, two batters later, Cara Blumfield singled her home.

The score held until the sixth inning when Villanova posted three runs in the top of the inning. Robin Flier and Garboden both singled with one out. The Eagles intentionally loaded the bases to attempt a force out, but Gina DeFrancesso doubled in Flier and Janna Bullock (who ran for Garboden). Lisa Krueger doubled home DeFrancesso before the inning ended.

In the bottom of the frame, the Eagles cut into the lead and made the game 3-2 when Jennifer Asbury belted her first homerun of the season with a shot to right center field.

In the next inning, the Wildcats plated three more runners to take a 6-2 lead. Carlson hit a three-run home run with two out for the four-run advantage on the scoreboard.

BC mounted another comeback in its last at-bats. Kellner hit a pinch-hit single and was followed by an Alison Erbig triple to bring Kellner home. Villanova walked two batters - Goodchild and Summer Jarratt - to load the bases when new pitcher Kari Singley threw a wild pitch to plate Erbig. Hornick reentered the game and walked Cara Blumfield to pack the bases again. Asbury stepped in and singled, driving home Goodchild and a 6-5 score. With the bases still loaded, Jarratt was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice in the next at-bat. BC's comeback ended with a strikeout in the to close the game.

Brooke Shull pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs and striking out six for the loss. Kimberly Ryan entered in the sixth and gave up the three-run homerun.

With the pair of losses, BC fell to 16-14 overall and 1-5 in BIG EAST play. Villanova improved to 17-3 and 4-0 in league play.

The Eagles will next play a single game at UMass-Amherst on Thursday, April 5 at 4 p.m. The team returns to league play over the weekend with road doubleheaders at St. John's (Saturday, April 7) and Seton Hall (Sunday, April 8).